Month: August 2020

SPICED PINEAPPLE RAITA

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This is a recipe to be served as a side dish for

pulao,biriyani or rice .

This is a perfect sweet and sour dish with a

blend of curd and pineapple .

Today’s recipe is a little different in my way,so

do try this combination and post in your

comments .

INGREDIENTS

1/2 of a pineapple cored, peeled and cut into

slices

Few cashew nuts

1 piece cinnamon

Curry leaves

1 small green chilli cut

1 tbsp butter / ghee

1 tsp chilli powder

1-2 cups curd

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/4 tsp mustard powder

1/4 tsp pepper powder

Salt to taste

METHOD

•Heat butter in a pan,add cinnamon, cashew

and fry lightly .

•Add the pineapple and the rest of the spices

except mustard powder .

•Sauté for 5 minutes and remove from fire .

•Allow to cool slightly .

•Whisk curd and mix into the cooked pineapple

•Garnish with coriander leaves.

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TURMERIC LEAF BUTTERMILK

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Very few of us know about the benefits of the

turmeric leaf .The word turmeric gives us the

thought of the powder or the dried turmeric,

and the leaf is never in the frame.

If you are fortunate to have a turmeric plant,

you will start nurturing it more after you are

enlightened with the health benefits.

As you know,I love looking into health related

articles or videos because it’s my passion to

cook healthy food, and know what I’m putting

up to serve .Thankfully, I have many turmeric

plants with glowing leaves.If you have recipes

with wrappings of banana leaf and you are not

able to get it ,you could use the turmeric leaf

instead .The paste of the turmeric leaf is also

considered the best to a glowing skin.

A brief point on the health benefits:

•It’s helps in digestion .

•Relieves bloating and reduces gas problems

•The Curcumin present in it increases the bile

production causing free digestion.

•Good for osteoarthritic,and rheumatoid

arthritic patients as it is believed to alleviate

pain.

•Properties of antioxidants,antibacterial,anti

inflammatory .

I made this with rice water ( 2nd +3rd water

after washing the rice ).

This water that we always opt to throw has

many nutrients. I learnt this from one of my

friends, who used to make rasam and gravies

with it .

Another tip I would like to include here is

that pure collected rain water is the best to

make rasam. ( idea from the same friend )

So let’s get into today’s health drink .

I am tempering this drink as I’m adding rice

water.

You can make this without tempering if you

are using drinking water.

INGREDIENTS (serves 4-5)

1/2 cup thick curd

2 cups rice water / water

1/2 of a turmeric leaf cut fine

1 small green chilli cut( optional)

Few red onions chopped fine ( optional)

Salt to taste.

For tempering

1 tsp coconut oil

A pinch of asafoetida

1/4 tsp cumin seeds / kalonji seeds

METHOD

Temper the rice water with the ingredients

listed for tempering.

Add the turmeric leaf and switch off the flame

once it is hot .

Whisk the curd with salt,add green chillies and

mix into the tempered water after it has cooled

down .

Check for salt and serve .

DATE ‘N’COFFEE PUDDING

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Another innovation from my kitchen for a

Sunday dessert.

Baked in a bath(inside a bowl containing

water) can be classified as warm /cold

desserts.

This can be made with condensed milk and

steamed too.

As dates is added to this pudding,the addition

of sugar is low.

Can be served for any occasion and any menu.

So let’s get into the recipe now

INGREDIENTS

2 cups milk

5 eggs

3-4 tbsp sugar

2 tsp coffee powder ( instant )

A handful of seedless dates chopped fine

Few cashew nuts

1/4 tsp nutmeg powder

1 tbsp butter

2 tbsp / flour

a pinch of salt

METHOD

•Mix coffee powder with the milk.

•Beat eggs with salt,sugar and add to the

flavoured milk.

•Heat butter in a pan,and add the dates,nuts,

nutmeg powder and flour and mix for a

minute.

•Remove from fire, and add the milk mixture

and mix well.

•Pour into a greased tin,and bake in a bath

( 180C)or steam for 30-35 minutes or till done .

•Refrigerate and turn over the pudding onto a

serving bowl .

•Do try this recipe and if you liked it,post in

your valued appreciates.

PRAWN ‘N’PANEER STUFFED PEPPERS

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Stuffed capsicum or peppers is a wonderful

and colourful starter to be served .

There are countless recipes to these categories

of stuffed vegetables.

Today I tried my version of prawn and paneer.

Simple and elegant !

Do try this recipe and post in your comments!

INGREDIENTS

4-5 capsicum cut into half ( horizontal or vertical)

1 onion chopped

100-200 gm prawns cut into small pieces

1 big garlic clove chopped fine

1 green chilli chopped ( optional)

1 tbsp flour

1 tbsp butter

1 tsp chilli powder / pepper powder

Salt to taste

1 -2 eggs beaten lightly

Paneer pieces

A little butter to smear the inside of the

capsicum

METHOD

•Scoop out the inside of the capsicum(not

seeds).

•Smear the inside of the capsicum with butter

and salt.

•Heat butter in a pan,and add flour and spice to

it and cook till light brown.

•Add the prawns,garlic,and onions and mix

well .

•Add a little water enough for a sauce,and

remove from fire.

•Stuff each capsicum with filling .

•Add beaten eggs ( just pour a little below the

level)

•Place a cube of paneer on each. ( you could use

grated cheese too)

•Bake in a preheated oven (200C for 10-15

minutes)

•For variations ,you could try any minced meat

or roasted meat or seafood .

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

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I’m not a fan of peanut butter,but my kids

are ,so baked a batch of peanut butter cookies.

This method and recipe was a lazy method of

mine .

Crunchy ,baked a batch with chocolate chips

too,by planting the chips ( not mixing in )on the

same dough.

Peanut butter lovers will love these cookies.

So do try and post in your comments!

INGREDIENTS

2 heaped cup all purpose flour

100 gm butter

2 eggs

3/4 cup peanut butter

2 tbsp milk powder

1 cup sugar ( 1/2 brown + 1/2 granulated)

Few chocolate chips

METHOD

•Add flour,baking powder,milk powder in a

bowl.

•Grate the butter ( cold butter) and add to the

flour .

•Lightly beat sugar,with eggs and peanut

butter,and mix into the flour and bind to a

firm dough

•Divide into portions and slightly press on the

top of each dough.

•You could press on chocolate chips after

laying it on the tray,or mix into the dough .

•Bake in a 175 preheated oven for 25 minutes.

COFFEE CASTELLA CAKE

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This is one of the best sponges I have tasted.

The texture and taste is so awesome you can

serve it plain without any adornment.

Your choice, to ice the cake or serve it with

custard preferably coffee or chocolate custard.

This cake is baked in a water bath,and the

preparation is totally different compared to

the normal sponge.

Do try this easy recipe and post in your

comments !

INGREDIENTS

5 eggs ( yolks and whites separated)

75 gm butter

75 gm sugar(use half brown sugar )

75 gm flour

1/4 tsp cream of tartar/ vinegar

1 heaped tsp.instant coffee powder

3/4 cup milk

METHOD

•Heat the butter and milk only till it’s warm.

•Remove from fire.

•Add the coffee powder and mix well.

•Next add the flour to the butter mixture and

mix without lumps.

•Beat egg whites with cream of tartar,stiff till

peaks form.

•Mix in the flour butter mixture gradually into

the beaten egg whites .

•Mix well and pour into a greased tin .

•While preheating the oven,keep a bigger

vessel of water in the oven. ( 155C)

•Place the cake tray in the bath containing the

heated water,and bake for 50-60 minutes till

done.

•This could be baked in individual cups too.

STUFFED CHEESY MUSHROOMS IN BUTTER MASALA

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A dish to be served with fried rice ,pulao,rotis.

A little effort added ,to a delicious cheesy dish .

Mushrooms considered to be an immunity

builder,having anti-carcinogenic properties

should be included in your diet at least once a

week .For a wider study on health benefits,do

search the Internet .

Choose the bigger button mushrooms,as the

scooping out,and stuffing the will be easier.

To the recipe now

INGREDIENTS

1 packet button mushrooms

1 onion chopped chopped fine into small cubes

1 tomato chopped fine

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1-2 green chillies chopped fine

1 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp ginger garlic paste

1 tsp butter

Grated cheese

Salt to taste

METHOD

•First remove the stalks from each mushroom,

carefully and scoop out the inside neatly out.

•Do not discard the stalks and the scoops.

•Wash and cut fine .

•Heat butter and add onions,tomatoes,green

chillies,and the rest of the spices and cook till

thick.

•Add the stalk- scooped out mixture and stir in .

•Cook on high heat for 3 minutes ,and remove

from fire.

•Fill the mushrooms with this filling.

•Top it with cheese and grill for 5 minutes,and

set aside.

For the butter masala

2 onions

3 tomatoes

10 cashewnuts

1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

1 tsp cumin seed powder

1 tbsp Kashmiri chilli powder

1 tsp garam masala powder

25 gm butter

1 tbsp kasuri methi leaves

1 tsp sugar/ honey

1 tsp amchur powder/ 1 tbsp lime juice

Salt to taste

METHOD

•Grind the onions, tomatoes,cashews together.

•Heat butter in a pan,add chilli powder,garam

masala powder,and immediately add the

ground paste with salt.

•Let it cook till the tomatoes and onions are

well cooked.

•Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for

few minutes .

•If there is any liquid in the grilled mushroom,

add into the masala .Remove from fire.

•Place the grilled mushrooms on the hot

masala.

•Garnish with boiled eggs and chopped greens

of your choice like leeks or spring onions .

•Serve hot.

The stuffed mushroom alone can be served as a starter too.

APPLE,BANANA,CHIA TRIFLE PUDDING

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Well,this trifle pudding is without sponge cake,

but if you like to add cake you could .

The remaining syrup from the poached pear,

was in the fridge,and as apples too have the

crunch of a pear,I used the same syrup to stew

the apples.

Added one big banana to the hot syrup,chia

seeds after mixture cooled down,topped with

vanilla custard and jelly.

Lovely dessert to brighten your day !

To the recipe now

INGREDIENTS

Base layer

Stewed Apple pieces

1 big banana sliced

1/2 cup chia seeds soaked

A pinch of salt

METHOD

Mix all together and spread on base of a

pudding bowl.

Middle layer ingredients

3 cups milk

2 -3 heaped tbsp custard powder ( vanilla)

2-3 tbsp sugar or to your taste

Method

Mix the custard powder in a little milk and set

aside .

Heat the remaining milk with sugar .

Once it reaches a boil,add in the custard mix,

and cook till thick .

Allow to cool partially, and pour over the layer

of fruit.

Keep in the fridge till you prepare the jelly.

The final topping ingredients

1 packet jelly crystals

Sliced cashewnuts

Method

Prepare jelly as per the instructions in the

packet,and pour over the custard after it is

partially cool.

Sprinkle cashewnuts and chill till set .

POACHED PEAR WITH MINT JELLY AND HUNG CURD CREAM

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This combination is purely my innovation !

The jelly was homemade with mint leaves

extract.( from my culinary patch )

I made it yesterday and put in the fridge to

serve for Sunday dessert. Was waiting for my

kids ‘thumbs up’before I could post.

Everyone loved the combination , only regret

was the quantity seemed less . I always try with

small quantities, and if successful only make

the normal portions .

I got only the local pear which was small in size

The soft pear is best suited for these type of

desserts as the poaching time will be less.

Pears were poached in ginger sauce .

Now to the recipe

INGREDIENTS

5-7 pears

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

2-4 strips (1 inch ) pieces ginger

1 small piece cinnamon

A pinch of salt

METHOD

Heat the water and sugar with ginger and

cinnamon .

Peel and core pear, keeping the fruit intact in

shape .

Drop into the boiling syrup,and cook till pears

are very tender and soft .

Remove from fire,and let them remain in the

syrup.Refrigerate

For the mint jelly

Ingredients

A handful of fresh mint leaves

2 tsp gelatine allowed to bloom in a little water

1 cup water

Sugar to taste

Method

Grind the mint leaves with 1/2 cup water

fine,and strain.

Heat the remaining water with sugar .

Add gelatine and mix well till gelatine is

dissolved .

Add the mint extract ,mix well and allow to set

in the fridge.

For the hung curd cream

Ingredients

1-2 cups curd

Sugar to taste

Few drops of vanilla essence

Method

Tie the curd in a muslin cloth,and keep it on a

strainer with a vessel under, and allow the

water to drain in the fridge.

Cream it with powdered sugar, and essence

and serve with pear .

Serve the poached pear with a little syrup,a

scoop of curd cream,and set jelly pieces .

This dessert could be served with warm pears

too.

BESAN MAKHANA LADOO

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A healthy sweet if made with care ,it’s one of

the best I would vote for .

Makhanas are lotus seeds or fox nuts highly

beneficial for people with blood pressure,

diabetics .Low on calories it is a good snack,to

munch like popcorn.This can be made into

sweet and savoury dishes .

This time I roasted the makhanas and badam

pisin ( almond gum ) powdered it,and added to

the besan ladoo . This is the third variation of

besan ladoo . Do check on the previous posts if

you are a fan of besan laddoo.

Sugar can be substituted with jaggery

To the recipe now

INGREDIENTS

2 cups besan flour ( gram dal flour)

3/4 -1 cup ghee

1 cup lotus seeds

1/4 cup dessicated coconut

2 tsp badam pisin ( almond gum)

3/4 -1 cup powdered sugar ( preferably the

*Tagar/ boora powdered sugar )

A pinch of salt

3/4 tsp cardamon powder

Few strands saffron

A few nuts like cashews and pistachios

METHOD

•First add 3/4th ghee and roast the flour till

golden brown and a nice aroma comes out of

it .( not burnt smell so take care to roast

correct.)

•Keep roasting till it turns a little liquidy and

semi-thick.

•Add the remaining ghee ,cashews and roast.

(check the colour in the photo ).

•Add saffron strands.

•Remove from fire and allow to cool

completely, before adding sugar . ( do not add

sugar before it has cooled.)

•Best to transfer to another bowl to cool.

•Now slightly dry roast the lotus seeds and

powder.

•Heat 1-2 ghee and add the gum .It will swell

and change colour .Powder this too and set

aside .

•Once the besan is cool, add the rest of the

ingredients ,and make ladoos.

•If it looks moist , you can keep in the fridge

and serve .

•If you have silver vark, you could dab the

paper on the sweet .

* Home made tagar or boora sugar

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

Boil the sugar and water till crystal stage ( keep stirring )

Remove from fire and mix till dry and coarse

powder form.

Powder and store . Use when required . This is

mostly used for ladoos like this .

Best to store in the fridge .

PRAWN ALMOND BIRIYANI

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This biriyani made with fried prawns,and

blended with almond paste and other

inclusions was another lovely variation to

another shrimp biriyani, and a Sunday meal.

Check my previous post for another variation

https://calinskitchen.com/2014/11/24/prawn-biriyani/

Now to the recipe

INGREDIENTS

200 gm prawns

3 green chillies

1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

8-10 almonds soaked

2 tomatoes

1 tsp chilli powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp cummin seed powder

A handful of coriander leaves

1/4 tsp mace powder

1 cup fried onions

Mint leaves

1/4 cup curd

1 stick cinnamon

5 cloves

5 cardamons

1 tsp garam masala

Ghee + Coconut oil 3 tbsp

2 potatoes peeled and cut

250 gm basmati rice

1 cup milk / coconut milk

METHOD

Add chilli powder and salt to the washed and

cleaned prawns.

Heat a little oil , and fry the prawns and set

aside.Fry the potatoes in the same oil till 3/4th

done and set aside.

Grind the coriander leaves,green chillies and

almonds to a paste.

Cook the rice till 3/4th done with salt ,fennel

seeds( saunf)1 bay leaf ,1 tsp peppercorns ,salt .

Strain and set aside .

Now to the final assembly

•Heat oil and ghee ,and add whole spices.

•Next add tomatoes with salt and turmeric .

•Next add ginger-garlic paste,fried onions,the

remaining spices,curd and the potatoes.

•Lastly add prawns and cook for few minutes.

•Check for salt and remove from fire.

•Now take a wide based pot .

•Add a little ghee to the bottom of the pot.

•Put a little rice ,then the prawn masala ,fried

onions,sprinkle cut fresh mint leaves ,then

another layer of the rice .

•Simultaneously layer all the rice,curry,fried

onions and mint .

•Sprinkle milk on top .

•Cover and cook on a dum mode for 15

minutes.

•Add a tbsp of ghee after removing from fire .

•Serve with raita and your favourite side

dishes .

EASY LAZY WHEAT PIZZA

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This is the easiest anyone could make,no sauce

Only cheese ,cut capsicum and tomatoes .

Simple but exotic in taste.

This will make 2 big pizzas.

So, do try and post in your feedback.

INGREDIENTS

2.5 cups wheat flour

1/4 cup flour ( optional)

1 heaped tsp yeast ( instant)

25 gm butter melted in 1 cup milk

2 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

METHOD

Take a mixing bowl and add the ingredients

except butter mixed in milk, and salt

Mix well and add the lukewarm milk,salt .

Knead to a soft dough.

Cover and allow to rise .

After the dough is risen double, knead lightly,

on a floured board .

Divide into portions of your choice, and roll

each portion thin.

Transfer to greased tray .

For the topping

2-3 capsicums ( red/green/yellow )or all three

combined sliced

2-3 tomatoes sliced

Few tulsi leaves ( as I ran out of basil)

Chilli flakes ( quantity to your preference)

1 tsp dried thyme

Grated cheese ( I used Gouda cheese , you could

use your favourite cheese .

METHOD

Spread all these vegetables to cover the rolled

dough.

Sprinkle thyme,chilli flakes.

Next add grated cheese .

Bake in a preheated oven (200C)for 20-25

minutes .

The crust should be crisp .

You can serve it just like that / or with tomato

sauce only if you like .

TEA CARAMEL PUDDING

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This is made with Earl Grey Tea infused milk .I made it still more flavourful with cardamon powder,and ginger powder.(like a malai tea )

I have made cakes with malai tea too.Click to know the recipe https://calinskitchen.com/2016/11/08/tea-muffins-chai-muffins/

This dessert is the same as a caramel pudding, only the flavour differs.You could steam or bake.If you have opted to

bake ,use the water-bath method.

Do  try this flavour of the pudding and post in your views and comments!

To the recipe

INGREDIENTS

2 cups milk

1/2 cup cream

5-6 eggs

6-7 tbsp sugar or to taste

1/2 cup water

2 tea bags

1 tsp cardamon powder

1/2 tsp dry ginger powder

For the caramel

2 -3 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp water

METHOD

Boil water with the tea bags till you get a nice deep colour.

Add half cup milk and allow to reach one boil. Cover and allow to cool.

Beat eggs with sugar and flavouring .

Add milk and cream and beat well and set aside.

To caramelise

Heat the sugar and add water .

Cook till you get a nice golden brown colour.

Add the beaten egg mixture to the set caramel .

Steam / bake in a *water bath ( 35 minutes or till set).

First bake covered for 15 minutes .

Remove cover,and bake for another 20-25 minutes.

You could serve warm or cold.

*A water bath is to keep the prepared dish in a bigger dish containing water in the oven.

 

LADIES FINGER CRISPIES

Calin's Kitchen 2 Comments

These are amazing to be served hot,as a side

dish with rice, especially with a vegan meal .

Ladies finger has to be cut into strips dipped in

batter and fried crisp.

If you are in a hurried mode , you could add

the ingredients listed for batter directly into the

cut vegetable and sprinkle a little water,and fry

I did the same hurried mode method 😀.

Those who do not like this vegetable will love it

this way,so do try this and post your comments.

INGREDIENTS

200 gm ladies finger cut into strips

1/2 cup gram flour

1 tbsp rice flour

1 tsp flour

1 tsp amchur powder

1/2 tsp cummin seed powder

1 tsp chilli powder

Salt to taste

METHOD

Wash and cut the vegetable into strips.

Mix the ingredients in a bowl with salt .

Mix into the cut vegetable till well coated .

Sprinkle a little water if needed .

Fry in oil (shallow / deep ) till crisp.

KOKUM RASAM

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I use Kokum in curries,pickles,and drinks but

the idea of making rasam was not in my mind.

In fact ,I got the idea from Chef Sanjeev Kapoor.

It’s a great ingredient aiding in fat burn,and

relieves acidity in your body,aids digestion too

Rasam is compulsorily seen in all South

Jndian platters.

I always make rasam with few ingredients.I do

not use any rasam powder for making rasam.

To the recipe now

INGREDIENTS

2-3 kokum peels soaked in hot water for 30

minutes

Salt to taste

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp jaggery

Grind coarsely

7-8 cloves garlic

1 tbsp peppercorns

1 heaped tsp cummin seeds

2 dry chillies

1 tbsp coriander seeds

Few curry leaves

1 small tomato

For tempering

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/4 tsp asafoetida

Curry leaves

1 tbsp oil

METHOD

Extract 2-3 cups juice from the soaked kokum.

Grind coarsely the ingredients listed for

grinding.

Heat oil,add mustard seeds,asafoetida,curry

leaves .

When the mustard splutters, add the coarse

paste with turmeric and salt and sauté for 3

minutes.

Add the kokum extract and allow to reach a

boil.

Remove from fire and garnish with coriander

leaves.

DATES SEMOLINA JAGGERY CAKE

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This is an awesome cake which tastes better by the day !

It’s like a love cake but with jaggery and little

brown sugar.

I have posted a lovely jaggery cake recipe

before . Do check on it too.

https://calinskitchen.com/2017/04/12/semolina-jaggery-cake/

People who cannot indulge in much sugar,can

try this recipe . Only a tbsp of flour was used ,

otherwise it’s a semolina and cashewnut cake .

Try once,you will make always !

So let’s get into the recipe

INGREDIENTS

100 gm butter

100 gm dates

2 eggs

100 gm semolina

1 tbsp flour ( to mix the pumpkin preserve and

half cashews ) – (you could omit the flour )

1 tsp coffee

50 gm pumpkin preserve chopped

1/4 cup dessicated coconut

75 gm finely chopped cashewnuts

50 gm jaggery powder + 3 tbsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp mixed spice powder ( cardamon,clove,

cinnamon,nutmeg ,fennel seed)

1/2 tsp rose water / essence

1/4 tsp vanilla essence

2 tbsp brandy

1 tbsp honey

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

METHOD

•Soak the seedless dates in 1/2 cup hot coffee

and allow to soak minimum 1 hour.( You could

soak overnight too).

•Lightly roast the semolina,and once it is warm

remove from fire and add the butter and mix

well.

•Mix in the baking powder ,and let it rest

till dates are done .

•Mash/ grind the dates,and add the jaggery

powder and rest of the ingredients except the

eggs.

•Add the semolina mixture and half of the

cashews and mix well.

•Beat eggs lightly with salt and fold into

mixture.

•Pour into a well greased baking tray,and

sprinkle the remaining cashews

•Bake in a preheated oven 180C for 15 minutes.

•Reduce heat to 170C and bake for another 20-

25 minutes or until done . (Skewer inserted

should come out clean).

•This cake can be kept out for a week even,

provided it’s left in the tray .🤪.